Sub-150$ card, i -5/ 8 gb 1600 ram

[psirohi]

Hello,

I have a i5 2500 CPU and with 8 gB of ram (4 x 2 corsair 1600). The Motherboard is ASRock Z68 Pro3-M.

The unit is running on a coolermaster 500 MW PSU.


Wanted to know what you would recomment as a decent graphics card for the unit. Would prefer ATI, But if there are NVidia cards that you think meet the budget, please do let me know.

My key considerations are :
1. occassional gaming

2. Seeing HD movies - need audio also on the card, as the HDMI feeds into my LED TV/ Home Theatre. Also should be stutter free at 1920 x 1080 for the HD movies.

3. Would prefer the card is somewhat future proof (only reason for budget to be 150$, else would be happy to stay below 100). My upgrade cycle is generally 2-3 yrs.

4. Website sales are not available to me (I am based in India, and most retailers dont ship)

5. Available manufacturers for ATI are generally - HIS, XFX, MSI, Sapphire - can look around for others if there is major difference.

6. I see the buying guide recommends the 6770, 6790 in my price bracket. Given my requirements would the 6770 be enough? Or would your recommendation be more power - the 6790 or even the 6850?

[Edit, i asked around and can get a HIS AMD/ATI Radeon HD 6850 GPU (1024 GDDR5) and a Sapphire AMD/ATI Radeon HD 6850 GPU (1024 GDDR5) for about 150 $

While XFX and HIS 6790 are about only 140, so not really an option]

Would appreciate your help. Thanks.

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

If you can find a 6850 for that price it would be best offcourse.

On the other hand for casual gaming/watching movies the 6770 would do fine.

 

[psirohi]

If you can find a 6850 for that price it would be best offcourse.

On the other hand for casual gaming/watching movies the 6770 would do fine.

Thx. Checked about 6770 is about 120 $, the 6950 is about 140 -145 $ while the 6850 is about 150-160 $.

Also any manfacturers you'd recommend. Indian suppliers tend to recommend HIS/ XFX. Sapphire very often has warranty issues in India.

 

[manu 11]

Thx. Checked about 6770 is about 120 $, the 6950 is about 140 -145 $ while the 6850 is about 150-160 $.

Also any manfacturers you'd recommend. Indian suppliers tend to recommend HIS/ XFX. Sapphire very often has warranty issues in India.

hey mate, i too live in india, how in the world you can find hd 6950 at 140-145$, its about rs7500 approx, when i asked my local supplier he told me a price of 13000rs, approx 260$. please tell me it isn't a typo.

also, his is a nice manufacturer but for amd cards, i suggest sapphire.

 

[psirohi]

hey mate, i too live in india, how in the world you can find hd 6950 at 140-145$, its about rs7500 approx, when i asked my local supplier he told me a price of 13000rs, approx 260$. please tell me it isn't a typo.

also, his is a nice manufacturer but for amd cards, i suggest sapphire.

Sorry it is a TYPO. Damm. 6790 is what i meant.

BTW where do you stay. Most sellers in Delhi, shy away from sapphire, literally say warranty s your headache.

 

[manu 11]

Sorry it is a TYPO. Damm. 6790 is what i meant.

BTW where do you stay. Most sellers in Delhi, shy away from sapphire, literally say warranty s your headache.

i live in agra, i buy sapphire cards and never had a single issue,yup they have some warrenty issues, if that's the case, i will strongly advice you to opt the his, i really dont trust xfx.
get a 6850 or a 6870, trust me they are great cards.

 

[psirohi]

Best answer selected by psirohi.